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What is ESTA? |
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ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an automated
system that determines whether a citizen from a Visa Waiver Country is allowed
to travel to the United States and apply for admission to enter. ESTA is only
related to traveling, it is not a visa requirement. The entire ESTA application
process takes place online. There are no physical forms to print and you do not
have to go in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate. For those who have ever
visited Australia as a tourist, the Australian ETA application process is a
similar concept.
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I have submitted an order for the ESTA
Application Guide but I haven't got it yet. How can I get it? |
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The ESTA Application Guide is available for instant download upon successful
payment. There is a "Download" button in the confirmation page that displayed on
your screen after you submitted the order. A confirmation email with the
download link was also sent to your email address. If you did not get the email,
please check your "Junk Mail" or "SPAM" folder. If you are still not able to
find the confirmation email, please submit the contact form below for
assistance.
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I've already submitted my application
for a Travel Authorization, but I made a mistake. How can I fix it? |
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We do not have access to ESTA applications already submitted to the U.S.
government. We cannot help update incorrect passport numbers, misspelled names,
wrong birth dates, retrieve any missed ESTA Application Numbers, or confirm any
applications already submitted. Please refer to chapter 8 of the ESTA
Application Guide for instructions on how to update your ESTA application.
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I have a passport from a Visa Waiver
country. Do I need to apply for ESTA? |
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It depends. You are required to apply for ESTA if you intend to enter the United
States by air or sea, under the Visa Waiver Program. However, ESTA is not
required if you are entering by land. If you plan on staying in the United
States for more than 90 days or have been previously denied entry into the
country, you must apply for U.S. visa. There are several other reasons why you
might not be eligible to enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. For more
information we recommend that you download our application guide.
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Do I have to purchase your application
guide in order to apply for a U.S. Travel Authorization? |
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No. You are not required to purchase our application guide in order to apply for
ESTA. Our ESTA Application Guide contains valuable information regarding the
Visa Waiver Programs and detailed ESTA Application instructions.
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Do I need to have any specific plans
before I apply for a Travel Authorization? |
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No. You can apply for ESTA anytime as long as your passport is machine readable
and you hold citizenship from a Visa Waiver country.
Passport holders from the most countries that recently become members of the
Visa Waiver Program must have an ePassport in order to apply for ESTA.
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What happens if I do not get an
approval for the Travel Authorization? |
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According to recent statistics published by the Department of Homeland Security,
over 99% of all ESTA applicants are approved within 5 seconds. However, if you
application is denied, will be required to apply for a United States visitor
visa, such as a B-2 Tourist Visa. Contact us for additional information on how to
apply for U.S. visas.
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What happens if I need to update my
Travel Authorization after I am approved? |
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You will be able to change any itinerary on a current Travel Authorization. ESTA
is designed so that you can update a valid Travel Authorization. It is not
necessary to have a flight booking or hotel reservation to initially apply for a
Travel Authorization. Download the ESTA Travel Authorization Application Guide
for information on how to update your ESTA file.
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Why is ESTA required? |
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Section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires DHS
(Department of Homeland Security) to enhance the current Visa Waiver Program
security features. ESTA is one of several measures taken to fulfill the security
requirement.
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Is a ESTA Travel Authorization the same
as a Visa? |
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No. A Travel Authorization is only necessary for a visitor traveling on the Visa
Waiver Program. It is only a travel requirement. A visa must be obtained in
advance by individuals not eligible to enter on the Visa Waiver Program. If you
already hold a valid U.S. visitor visa, you should not apply for ESTA.
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How early in advance is it recommended
to obtain an ESTA? |
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You should at least allow yourself 72 hours (3 days). However, if you are
planning to visit the U.S. it is recommend to apply as early as possible. If
your Travel Authorization is denied you will have to apply for a visitor visa at
a US embassy or consulate. Sometimes, appointment slots are difficult to attain,
and may take weeks.
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Can I re-apply for a Travel
Authorization if I was not approved the first time? |
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Yes, but you must wait at least 10 days and your circumstances must have
changed. Note that applying for a Travel Authorization with false information
will make you permanently barred from ever visiting the United States. A US
embassy or consulate cannot help you to get an approved Travel Authorization.
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I have a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa. Do
I need a Travel Authorization? |
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No. As long as your visa is valid you do not need a Travel Authorization.
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Do I still have to complete Form I-94W,
the green form? |
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Yes. Until ESTA is fully implemented travelers to the U.S. must still complete
Form I-94W. A Travel Authorization (ESTA) is applied for in advance while Form
I-94W is completed on the airplane or at the U.S. port of entry. Learn how to
document your departure by downloading the ESTA - Travel Authorization
Application Guide if you loose your green I-94W departure slip.
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I was previously denied a visa to the
US. Can I apply for a Travel Authorization and enter on the Visa Waiver Program? |
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No. If you have ever been denied a visa you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver
Program.
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I was denied admission to the US
previously. Can I apply for a Travel Authorization and enter the US on the Visa
Waiver Program? |
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No. If you have previously been denied admission you must apply for a visa
before attempting to visit the US. You must apply for a B-1 Visitor Visa or B-2
Tourist Visa. The ESTA - Travel Authorization Application Guide also includes
information about how to apply for a U.S. visitor visa (B-1 and B-2 Visa).
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I already have a valid visitor visa. Do
I also need to apply for a Travel Authorization? |
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No. As long as your visa is valid, you do not need to apply for ESTA.
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I am a citizen from a country that it's
not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Do I need to apply for ESTA? |
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No. ESTA Travel Authorization is only for individuals who enter the United
States with a passport from a Visa Waiver Country. If you are not from a Visa
Waiver Country, you must apply for a U.S. Visitor Visa first. Contact us for
more information on how to apply for a U.S. visa.
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